Well-known canoe slalom course in Ljubljana – Tacen hosted the first ECA Canoe Slalom European Cup race in 2020. German paddler Elena Apel won two medals on the opening day, she was the fastest in women’s C1 final and third in K1, while the wins in the remaining three categories stayed at home thanks to Peter Kauzer, Urša Kragelj and Jure Lenarčič.
Due to Covid-19 and closed borders for many countries majority of the competitors came from the local Slovenian clubs, however Sava River also welcomed paddlers from Germany, France, United States of America and Japan. The race also served as the first selection race for Slovenian national team (for the selection races counted first run).
The most successful paddler of the day was Elena Apel from Germany who won two medals. She was the fastest in women’s C1 final and third in women’s kayak final. Especially the performance in canoe was outstanding. Apel was eleven seconds faster than Angele Hug (FRA) in second place, while Alja Kozorog (SLO) occupied third position. In kayak final Apel finished third behind two times European Championships medallist Urša Kragelj and reigning World Champion Eva Terčelj (both SLO).
After the successful day Elena Apel said, “I am really happy because this is the first competition after a long time. It’s my first time ever in Tacen, so I’m very excited and very happy. I love the course, I think it’s very similar to Augsburg, but a bit bigger, so it’s a lot of fun.”
In men’s kayak event Slovenian favourite Peter Kauzer did not allow any surprises, taking the win in the final and in Slovenian selection races. Promising Slovenian kayaker Niko Testen was second and German 2012 Olympic medallist Hannes Aigner finished the final in third place.
“I was quite happy with my first run, which counted for our selection races. In the second run I did not have any energy or motivation to go even faster. I tried on some places, but I couldn’t. I need a rest, because tomorrow we have another selection race and I will focus on that on,” said Kauzer.
In men’s C1 Slovenian paddlers dominated the event with a triple win. This time it was Jure Lenarčič who produced the best final run and beat reigning European Champion Benjamin Savšek who was second and bronze medallist from last year’s World Championships Luka Božič who finished third. French canoeist Jules Bernardet was just outside the podium on fourth place. It was a two seconds penalty that pushed him out of second position, “This is my second race at this course here in Tacen, Slovenia. I love this course and Slovenia. I had a touch at the gate number seven, it happens.”
On Sunday Tacen will host second ECA Canoe Slalom European Cup race and second Slovenian selection race. Heats will be streamed live on Youtube, while finals (at 13:00) will be streamed exclusively on the website of Slovenian National television: https://www.rtvslo.si/tv/vzivo/tvmmc
Video interview Elena Apel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFBcopluxbE&feature=youtu.be
Video interview Peter Kauzer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHM1IUzSmvU&feature=youtu.be
Video interview Jules Bernardet (in French): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHgztoGwJ_A&feature=youtu.be
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